At present Russian public opinion greatly agitated by question where is great British fleet now that German fleet is out in Baltic. Russia,' Premier repeated, "is worn out. She been fighting one and half years longer than England." "Could American army be of use if sent Russia?" "It would be impossible send one," Kerensky replied. "It [is] question [of] transport; difficulties are too great." "If America cannot send troops what [would] be most useful way [for] her [to] help Russia?" "Have her send boots, leather, iron, and," Premier added emphatically, "money." Kerensky drew attention [to] fact Russia fought her battles alone. "Russia has fought alone, is fighting alone, France has had England to help her from start and now America has come in." Kerensky was asked regarding morale [of] people, armies. "Masses are worn out economically," said Kerensky. "Disorganized state life in general has had psychological effect on people. They doubt the possibility of attainment." "What is lesson to democracies of world of Russian revolution?" "This," he replied, "is for them to find out. They must not lose faith in Russian revolution because it not a political revolution but an economic one and a revolution of facts must be made. Russian revolution only seven months old, no one has right to feel disillusioned about it. It takes years [to] develop fully. In France which [is] only as large as three Russian departments or states it took five years [for] their revolution [to] develop fully." Associated [correspondent] asked what Kerensky expected from Constituent Assembly. "Constituent Assembly begins new chapter [in] history revolution; its voice [will] be decisive; it [is] certainly most important factor future Russia." "What future do you picture for Russia after war?" "No one can draw any real picture [of] future," Kerensky said. "Naturally man who really loves country hopes for all good things but that [is] only his viewpoint which may or not be accepted by others." Kerensky pale, nervous, and sat end carved table facing Associated [correspondent] emphasizing points statement tapping table [with] fingers. Wore brown undecorated uniform buttoned closely. He plainly fatigued result many trips [to] front, constant audiences diplomats, peasants' group, who latter [were] gathered outer room waiting see [him]. When Kerensky shown editorials on interview from England and America Associated Press sent following, filing same yesterday but not sent until to-day: David Sauskis, secretary Kerensky, made following statement Associated to-day regarding "misinterpretation by London press of interview recently accorded by the Minister-President to Associa ted [Press]: I have seen Kerensky reference interview. Showed him quotation English press, he very much astonished at manner his plain statements received [in] London. Whoever read whole interview can draw but one conclusion from it, that Russia was doing, is doing, will do her utmost in carrying on her share [of] the common cause against enemy; that having devoted all her might from very first days [of] war when England only begun her vast preparations and America was still neutral, Russia, who [was] always much poorer economically than her mighty allies, feels now natural pinch [of] war more than England, America, and therefore is justified in contention that her allies shoulder now heavier burden and should assist her unstintingly with war material and finances in matter of her requirements. MinisterPresident [in] this interview pointed out that not every one of Allied countries appreciates fairly great part Russia was and is still playing in war and that some are inclined to attack her bitterly because [of] great difficulties with which she [is] confronted now because natural evolution of her history. She will continue do her duty. Sauskis said interpretation [by] American press [of] interview pleasing. He [has] recently recovered [from] serious illness. FRANCIS CHAPTER V THE NOVEMBER REVOLUTION—THE BOLSHEVIK “COUP D'ÉTAT," NOVEMBER 7, 1917-THE STRUGGLE FOR CONTROL File No. 861.00/632 The Ambassador in Russia (Francis) to the Secretary of State [Telegram] PETROGRAD, November 7, 1917, 5 p. m. [Received November 10, 4.20 a. m.] 1961. Whitehouse,1 en route to the Embassy this morning, was accidentally met by aide-de-camp of Kerensky and several [minutes afterwards by] latter who told him that he was hurriedly leaving to meet regular troops on the way to Petrograd to support Government which would otherwise be deposed. He acknowledged that Bolsheviki control city and that Government powerless without reliable troops as there are few here of that nature. He said that he expected that the remainder of Ministry would be arrested to-day and told Whitehouse to convey request to me not to recognize Soviet government if such is established in Petrograd as he expected whole affair to be liquidated within five days but this in my judgment depends on number of soldiers who will obey (him?). FRANCIS File No. 861.00/634 The Ambassador in Russia (Francis) to the Secretary of State [Telegram] PETROGRAD, November 7, 1917, 6 p. m. [Received November 10, 9.15 a. m.] 1962. Bolsheviki appear to have control of everything here. Cannot learn whereabouts of any Minister. Two reported arrested and taken to Smolny Institute which is headquarters of Bolsheviki. Trotsky made incendiary speech Sunday and was followed in Russian by a man, Muscareis Nereid, who claims same strain [sic]. Trotsky introduced Lenin to Bolshevik audience to-day and Lenin made peace talk, violently attacking bourgeoisie and advocating division 1 Sheldon Whitehouse, Secretary of the Embassy. of property. No government here at present. Little firing on the street but no armed contests, some streets guarded. Majority of soldiers claim to be neutral but nearly all here are with Bolsheviki who say will form new government and notify Allies Russia cannot fight more and announce peace terms to Germany and if not accepted will then fight desperately for Russia. Many newspapers, perhaps all, suppressed. 10 p. m. Reported all Ministers arrested except Kerensky who has gone to Luga about 80 miles toward north front. FRANCIS File No. 861.00/630 The Minister in Sweden (Morris) to the Secretary of State [Telegram] STOCKHOLM, November 8, 1917, 4 p. m. [Received November 9, 11.50 p. m.] 959. Because of the possibility of telegraphic cominunication between our Embassy in Russia and the Department being interrupted due to latest developments in Petrograd, I am sending the following which appear in the press this morning as dispatches from the Russian official telegram bureau. According to these telegrams Bolsheviks have made successful coup d'état; have taken the State Bank, telegraphs, telegram bureau and have arrested certain members of Kerensky's government. It appears that an extraordinary meeting of Soviet was held yesterday afternoon, President Trotsky declaring Provisional Government no longer exists. The Council of the Republic declared dissolved. Lenin was greeted with long applause and spoke of the three problems facing Russian democracy: (1) immediate cessation of hostilities; (2) turning over land to the peasants; (3) settling the country's economic crisis. Resolution on vote of confidence for Kerensky was defeated 123 to 102; declaration by Maximalist [sic] Party was read disapproving of the coup d'état and withdrawing from Soviet. Kerensky finally proclaimed to the temporary Parliament1 that the Government would fight even unto death to prevent the Bolshevik traitors who want to let [sic] the troops who will take Wilhelm and his friend into Russia from getting the supreme power they are aiming at. He read telegrams from the front demanding energetic measures against the excesses in St. Petersburg. 'Presumably at the session of Nov. 6. MORRIS File No. 861.00/633 The Consul General at Moscow (Summers) to the Secretary of State [Telegram] Moscow, November 8, 1917, 4 p. m. [Received November 10, 6.10 a. m.] 53. Revolutionary party headed by Council of Workmen-Soldiers' Deputies supported by garrison have taken over government of Moscow including administration post, telegraph. They have closed offices of all conservative newspapers. All relatively quiet. Consulate General will keep the Department fully informed and will take all necessary steps to protect American citizens and their interests. SUMMERS File No. 861.00/635 The Ambassador in Russia (Francis) to the Secretary of State [Telegram] PETROGRAD, November 8, 1917, 5 p. m. [Received November 10, 9.30 a. m.] 1964. Telegraph office says our cables forwarded but doubt it, consequently repeating this from Moscow where it is sent by hand. Whereabouts of all Ministers except Kerensky unknown but most credible report is that all are imprisoned in St. Peter Fortress. Considerable firing last night until 2 o'clock. Main object of attack was Winter Palace where Ministry thought to be in session. After valiant defense by woman regiment and battalion of cadets Winter Palace surrendered having been bombarded by war vessel Aurora from river and attacked from the land. Casualties unknown. Quiet on streets to-day but Petrograd Council Workmen-Soldiers have sent bulletins throughout Russia that Soviet in control and Government deposed. Foreign Office, replying to inquiry, telephoned does not know where Minister of Foreign Affairs is and that no one representing new power has communicated with that department. [A person] connected with Department of Agriculture reports same closed as impossible to transact business and says all Ministers except Kerensky are imprisoned. Various reports concerning coming of troops from the northern front but impossible to ascertain truth thereof as wires under control of Petrograd council. British Ambassador just telephoned request that I come to British Embassy for conference 6 p. m. Suppose Allied diplomats invited. FRANCIS |